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Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project @brechnerfoi.bsky.social · Aug 14

Do vague “reasonable” copy fee laws let agencies overcharge? A new study says yes, and even stricter laws may not stop it. Some countries have banned copy fees entirely. Should the U.S. do the same? 📝

brechner.org/2025/08/14/s...
#FOIA #OpenGovernment #Transparency #PublicRecords

Study: Copy fee provisions should be more specific, attorney argues - Brechner Center for Freedom of Information

A recent article in the Wyoming Law Review examines copy fee provisions in the U.S. Freedom of Information Act, Wyoming law, and Colorado law, concluding that vague laws allowing “reasonable” copy fee...

brechner.org

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Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project @brechnerfoi.bsky.social · Aug 13

A Wisconsin appeals court ruled July 29 that public officials can’t hide their government-related text messages on private cell phones.

midwestadvocates.org/legal-victor...

#FOIA #FOI #lawsuit #wisconsin

Legal Victory for MEA is a Win for Government Transparency and Accountability | Midwest Environmental Advocates

In a decision issued this week, an appellate court addressed two significant issues that will affect open government and the public records law moving forward: whether text messages on private cell ph...

midwestadvocates.org

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Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project @brechnerfoi.bsky.social · Aug 12

🚨 Washington lawmakers are auto-deleting emails again.

Under a new policy, emails not from a bill’s prime sponsor can be erased after 30 days, limiting the public's ability to track how laws are made.

brechner.org/2025/08/12/w...

#FOIA #SunshineLaws #Transparency

Washington lawmakers reinstate 30-day email auto-delete policy, raising transparency concerns - Brechner Center for Freedom of Information

Washington state House lawmakers have reinstated a controversial email auto-deletion policy, allowing most legislative emails, including those about bills and communications with lobbyists, to be perm...

brechner.org

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Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project @brechnerfoi.bsky.social · Aug 11

📞 A new FOI hotline just dropped in Indiana

Call 260-ASK-ICOG for help with public records, open meetings, or figuring out what to do if your request gets denied.

Free. Volunteer-run. Here to help.
🔗 www.indystar.com/story/news/l...
#FOIA #Transparency #PublicAccess #Indiana

New Indiana hotline answers questions on public information and open meeting laws

The Indiana Coalition for Open Government started the hotline to help with questions about the Access to Public Records Act and the Open Door Law.

www.indystar.com

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Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project @brechnerfoi.bsky.social · Aug 5

🗞️ New @BrechnerFOI study finds fewer newspapers per capita = more violations of public records laws.

“Government transparency is never guaranteed.” – Brett Posner-Ferdman
📖 brechner.org/2025/08/05/d...

#FOIA #Transparency

Dark deserts: Dwindling newspapers associated with greater government secrecy - Brechner Center for Freedom of Information

A new study from the Brechner Freedom of Information Project finds that states with weaker newspaper environments are associated with greater government secrecy.

brechner.org

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Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project @brechnerfoi.bsky.social · Jul 29

Florida pulled contract details for its $250 million ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention camp after reporters started asking questions.

📰 Read more: brechner.org/2025/07/29/b...

Brechner FOI director David Cuillier flags Florida for scrubbing ‘Alligator Alcatraz” detention facility records - Brechner Center for Freedom of Information

Brechner Freedom of Information Project director David Cuillier is questioning Florida’s decision to remove detailed contract records tied to its new $250 million detention camp from a public website.

brechner.org

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Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project @brechnerfoi.bsky.social · Jul 28

240,000+ pages of FBI files on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have been released.

Originally sealed until 2027, the documents include records of surveillance and disinformation efforts.

King’s children opposed the early release.

www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...

#FOI #FOIA

Trump administration releases FBI records on MLK Jr. despite his family’s opposition

Martin Luther King Jr.'s two living children are urging people to tread lightly with a newly released trove of records related to their father's assassination.

www.pbs.org

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Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project @brechnerfoi.bsky.social · Jul 28

🗂️ FOI Tip: Use people skills to get records. Let officials vent. Listen and repeat what you heard. Use “I” not “you” statements. Talk informally, side-by-side, to avoid creating opposition.

#FOI #FOITips #PublicRecords

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Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project @brechnerfoi.bsky.social · Jul 25

📲 Ronald Capaldi’s new article in the Journal of the National Association of Administrative Law Judiciary urges mandated algorithmic audits and clearer FOIA trade secret rules to ensure transparency in government AI use.

Read more: brechner.org/2025/07/24/s...

Study: Government AI in FOIA requires transparency measures - Brechner Center for Freedom of Information

As federal agencies increasingly use artificial intelligence to process public records requests, new research calls for stronger transparency requirements. In the Journal of the National Association o...

brechner.org

Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project @brechnerfoi.bsky.social · Jul 24

🚨 New Brechner Report out now!

This edition features a powerful new collab: MuckRock, NFOIC, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press & the Brechner FOI Project are teaming up to support local journalists.

Read it here: brechner.org/resources/br...
#FOIA #opengov #transparency

Brechner Report - Brechner Center for Freedom of Information

brechner.org

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Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project @brechnerfoi.bsky.social · Jul 23

📲 New @MuckRock guide on requesting text messages as public records. Learn what counts and how to request them.

Read it here: www.muckrock.com/news/archive...

#FOI #FOIA #openrecords

Text messages are public records. How do you request them?

Whether they appear in a yellow lined notebook or on white printer paper, government documents are government documents.

www.muckrock.com

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Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project @brechnerfoi.bsky.social · Jul 17

🗂️ Remember: Secrecy Tracker is free

Find bills in any state or Congress that could limit access to records or meetings.
Stay informed: secrecytracker.org

Secrecy Tracker: Tracking bills that affect your right to know.

secrecytracker.org

Reposted by Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project

Michael Morisy @morisy.bsky.social · Jul 16

Getting access to public docs is getting harder, particularly at the local level. I'm excited for @muckrock.com @nfoic.bsky.social @rcfp.org and the @brechnerfoi.bsky.social to work together to to fight for information more effectively all across the country: www.muckrock.com/news/archive...

MuckRock, NFOIC and other leading transparency groups receive $1.25M Press Forward grant to help local journalists obtain government records

Journalism relies on public records, but transparency laws are weakening nationwide, with longer response times, high fees and more frequent rejections. Agencies know that few newsrooms can research a...

www.muckrock.com

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Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project @brechnerfoi.bsky.social · Jul 16

🗞️ Watchdog sues DOJ for records on judicial nominee Emil Bove.

FOIA lawsuit seeks emails about deportations, NYC Mayor Adams’ case, and other controversies as Bove’s confirmation vote nears.

Details: brechner.org/2025/07/15/w...

Watchdog group sues DOJ for records on judicial nominee Emil Bove - Brechner Center for Freedom of Information

Watchdog group, American Oversight has filed a lawsuit in federal court to compel the United States Justice Department to release records related to Emil Bove, a senior DOJ official and federal judici...

brechner.org

Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project @brechnerfoi.bsky.social · Jul 15

💊 FDA proactively releases 200+ drug rejection letters explaining initial non-approvals for medicines later approved.

www.reuters.com/business/hea...

US FDA publishes 200 complete response letters from archive in transparency drive

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday publicly shared over 200 archived so-called complete response letters related to medicines that were later approved, in a bid to improve transparency under the leadership of U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

www.reuters.com

Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project @brechnerfoi.bsky.social · Jul 10

🗞️ Did you miss this in the Brechner Report?

📌 69% of investigative journalists say limited access to records is the biggest barrier to accountability.

Frequent delays, denials, high fees, and political pressure are worsening the problem.

Read more:
brechner.org/resources/br...

Brechner Report - Brechner Center for Freedom of Information